The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has announced winners for the 2023 MAN reporter of the year award in Lagos.
The Awards, which were given to categories of journalists saw winners emerged at this year’s MAN Presidential Media Luncheon held at MAN headquarters in Ikeja.
Mr. Edidiong Ikpoto of Punch Newspaper emerges winner of the Newspaper Category, scoring 88points, while Mr. Taiwo Hassan of New Telegraph with 86points became second in that category.
Others are: Mr. David Ubabudike of STV emerges winner of the Television Category, scoring 81 points, Mr. Opeyemi Bashorun of TV360 became second with 68points. Mrs Ebere Obike Frankline of Radio Nigeria won the Radio Category with 89points, Mrs Sherifat Oyediran of Bond FM became second scoring 71 points.
Mr. Ocheneyi Alli of Industrial Digest emerges winner in the Online Category with 85points, while Mr. Tony Nwakaegho of GenTech News became second with 80points. Mr. Akeem Salau of Vanguard Newspaper emerges winner in the Photo Journalists Category, scoring 83points and Mr. Olawale Amoo of BusinessDay scored 79points as second.
In his opening address, the President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, thanked journalists “for the good work you have done and continue to do in championing the advocacy mandate of MAN through your in-depth and insightful reportage.”
He described the award as an avenue “designed to celebrate journalists who excelled in their reportage within the previous year 2023.”
He called on the Federal Government to give priority to the manufacturing industry to boost the nation’s development and economic growth.
Meshioye said, “Our country’s economy is in a dire state and our policymakers, more than ever before, need to be intentional about growing the manufacturing sector. There is no country considered as developed that does not give priority attention to the manufacturing sector.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that manufacturing is pivotal to galvanising and sustaining the economic growth and development of Nigeria. The government needs to come to the realisation that a win for the manufacturing sector is a win for the economy and by extension a better life for the citizenry.’’
‘’There is need to mobilize our local resources and more importantly, take deliberate steps to overcome the binding constraints that confront the productive sector. This has to be through frank conversations, effective collaboration and bold decision that radically departs from the norm.’’, he added.
“Government and its agencies should deliberately abstain from taking harmful and inconsiderate policies that lack adequate inputs of key players that would be affected.’’, he said.
The association further decried the ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam packs and the ban on alcoholic beverages in pet bottles and sachets below 200ml as the government does not give due consideration to the economic and social impact of those unwarranted decisions.
